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5 elements of a cybercrime strategy

Few things worry UK business bosses more than cybercrime, according to a new survey.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of British firms polled in the EY Global Fraud Survey claimed that cybercrime is a big threat to their business. This compares to a global figure of 49%.

The threat
◾ Heartbleed, CryptoLocker and GOZeuS computer bugs have replaced bird flu and swine flu as the most talked about viruses in recent months
◾Small companies suffered £785 million costs because of cybercrime, a recent Federation of Small Businesses report found

◾The Government has recognised the threat and pledged extra support to help small businesses fight cybercrime

So what can be done to safeguard your firm with an effective cybercrime strategy?

Get staff on message

It’s no good you and your executives being vigilant if your staff don’t sing from the same hymn sheet. Failure to do so leaves you and your firm at great risk. So call a meeting where you outline a robust cyber security policy and how it relates to them.

Draw up an easy-to-follow security procedure for internet, emails and mobile gadgets. EY warned that staff are occasionally viewed as a weak link, because employees are vulnerable against phishing emails. This is where malevolent mails are delivered in a bid to extract passwords or other confidential data. These can download bugs and switch files to unsanctioned personal gadgets.

Warn staff against opening obscure, unusual emails from purported friends and/or family which contain files/attachments which spark this potentially costly disruption. It is not a case of managers not trusting staff, just a case of staff not taking the threat from cyber criminals as earnestly as executives do.

Back-up

This gives you a belt-and-braces approach. It means companies don’t put every egg into one single basket. Consider spreading your company data across not only customary services, but non-customary ones too. Examine your disaster recovery plans as well as data disposal.

Take any financial help that’s out there

The Government recently extended an initiative to allow account directors from SMEs to bid for a maximum £5,000 out of a £500,000 kitty to upgrade cyber security.

Police your passwords

Change your company, your own and your staff’s passwords regularly to reduce cyber attack risk. The more often you switch your password, the safer you are likely to be.

Remain vigilant at all time

This means carrying out security checks across every device and piece of software. Regularly stress-test frequently-used websites, especially the company one. Carry out frequent security risk assessments to pinpoint important systems and data. Secure all your company’s wireless networks.